The 2011 Detroit Auto Show to feature a Moparized Fiat 500

The Moparized 2012 Fiat 500 is heavily clad in Mopar branded accessories inside, outside and under the hood – showing how much you can personalize the new Fiat 500 with items available in your local Chrysler Group dealership. The exterior upgrades include items like the Mopar custom wheels, a set of vinyl stripes, a snowboard carrier (that doesn’t seem to be included in the rendering) and a handful of chrome trim items. Inside, Mopar adds a Katzkin leather dress-up package matching the black and blue exterior, carbon fiber trim pieces and 500-branded door sill guards. Finally, to improve the performance of the sporty 2012 Fiat 500, Mopar includes a strut tower brace.

While at the 2010 LA Auto Show, I had a chance to sit down with Fiat CEO Laura Soave, asked her about the plans for aftermarket accessories for the new models. Mopar rolled out a couple 2012 Fiat 500s at the 2010 SEMA Show sporting Mopar-branded accessories, but I was curious how the “Mopar” name would fit into the Fiat enthusiasts who expect to see Italian companies providing aftermarket accessories. The Mopar name is highly recognized in the drag racing and muscle car world but not so much in the niche of Italian automobile enthusiasts. To satisfy those Fiat owners who want a more “Italian” feel from their aftermarket accessories, the automaker has been working with companies who provide accessories for the cars in Europe to offer popular accessories in the US. However, with the in-house Mopar group offering such a large variety of goodies for the 2012 Fiat 500, we can expect to get a good look at everything they have to offer for the Italian compact next week at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

Check back to TorqueNews.com for continuing previews leading up to our comprehensive coverage of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show!